Apart from the mix of accents and frostbite-y cold, my ‘culture shock’ while on Exchange in Manchester last year, consisted of the strong smoking-culture amongst its students. It appeared to be a habit everyone inherited out of high school (or college, rather) – something less common in my experience studying in Sydney and Newcastle. The …
Category: Taking Care of You
Dogs of UON
DOGS! Great, now that I have your attention, let’s get down to the actual point of this article (no – it’s not just to talk about how great dogs are). Everyone loves a furry companion. You may not know it, but there are a few select circumstances where you can actually bring your dog on …
That time I went to counselling: Demystifing Adverse Circumstances
At the end of the second semester of my second year of uni, I was struggling. I had some fairly unpleasant family drama come up in the middle of the semester and, as a result, I was feeling isolated and unmotivated which seriously impacted my work. I had dropped out of one course, had barely …
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UON welcomes new gender-neutral bathrooms
To all the cisgender women out there, you know that feeling when you’re queuing for the ladies’ room and hating life, because somehow the men’s bathroom has no queue yet you’ll be waiting an eternity to do your business? It’s pretty annoying hey? Well imagine feeling like you couldn’t use either bathroom. And worse, fearing …
Navigating Addiction: Study Drugs
As the semester ends and we’re all getting swamped with assessments and exams, it’s normal to start worrying about how you’re going to cope with all that work. For some students this means planning everything out within an inch of its life, for some it means late night cramming sessions the day before an exam. …
To chill or not to chill…
… that is the question. The question riding on the fringes of everyone’s mind as exam pressure sinks in. We all share that student struggle. Taking a break feels more of a sin than a blessing. Winding down sparks more anxiety than it does abate it. Calming the mind adds worry rather than letting it …
The one study hack you NEED to know about
Need help with that dreaded assessment? Learn how Learning Development can help you gain those extra marks.
Navigating addiction: Alcohol
Let’s be honest, becoming a student and morphing into a steaming, name-taking booze monster is something of a stereotype. There’s not necessarily anything abnormal here, as UON’s Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions counsellor, Michelle Lampis explains, “Most people drink a little heavier when they’re younger and reduce their intake as they get older. However, some …
5 ways you can live a more environmentally-friendly life
Sustainable living is important for one very simple reason: to maintain our quality of life as human beings. You may think as an individual your impact may not count or your contribution won’t save the planet, so what’s the point? Wrong! Every little bit counts and the root of change lies in the understanding and …
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Put down the phone: why you need a digital detox
Here we are, knee deep in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technology is not just something we use, it is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, and it’s only going to dig itself deeper into our day-to-day functioning as time passes. Yet, while digital technologies are ingraining themselves into our lives to the extent …
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5 ways to squeeze exercise into your study schedule
If you’re a full-time student, you understand the demands of your study load is often more intense than a full-time job, yet on top of that we’re also supposed to worry about social lives, making actual money and attempting to stay healthy. You can’t hide from me – I know the one thing we tend …
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Saying goodbye to STIs
Sex isn’t taboo and it’s important to be able to have a healthy discussion about sex so that you can develop healthy relationships and behaviours. Sexual Health Awareness Week (SHAW) is being held from the 12-16 March across Newcastle City Precinct and Callaghan campus as it’s really important that you know how to look after …